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Tag: Scrabble

  • Team Nigeria still holding strong after Day 2 at World Scrabble Championship

    Team Nigeria still holding strong after Day 2 at World Scrabble Championship

    Members of Team Nigeria at the ongoing Scrabble World Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA are giving a good account of themselves and the country as the competition enters day 3 later today.
    Former World Champion, Wellington Jighere with 14 wins is running a neck to neck race with USA’s Will Anderson who is topping the chart after Day 2 because of a higher cumulative.
    Jighere is occupying the second spot while Nsikakabasi Solomon Etim with 11 wins from 16 games is the other member of Team Nigeria in the top ten with host America having a player more than Nigeria in that bracelet.
    Alec Sjoholm of the United States, England’s Harshan Lamabadusuriya, Thacha Koowirat from Thailand,
    Nigeria born Samson Okosagah playing for United States and Russell Honeybun of Australia are all on 12 wins each but separated by cumulative points.
    The second chasing pack has Canada’s Matthew Tunnicliffe, Conrad Bassett-Bouchard of the United States, Nigeria’s Nsikak Solomon Etim, Chris Lipe of United States, Andrew Fisher from Australia and Canada’s Joshua Castellano have 11 victories each
    Emmanuel Ofidi, Olatunde Oduwole, Prince Osahon Omosefe and Temituoyo Mayuku are closing down on the board leaders with 10 wins each while Olawale Fashina, Dipo Akanbi, Dennis Ikekeregor and Enoch Nwali are jamming back and hard on 9 wins.
    Current African Champion and King of Governor Diri National Championship, Enoch Nwali who started Day 2 at number 96 ended the day at 34th spot after recording 6 wins out of 8 games played. The Health Education Student of the University of Lagos is now on 9 wins overall.
    The leader of Team Nigeria delegation and President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Engineer Olobatoke Aka is very confident that Day 3 of the Championship will push more Nigerians toward the top end.
    “It’s tough out there. The positions at the end of today’s games will determine the outcome, we shall know if we have a shot at the World Championship title.” The NSF President said.
    This is Africa’s best individual standing after Day 2:
    Jighere – Nig – 2nd
    Addo-Quaye – Gha – 75th
    Gruzd – SA – 76th
    King – SL – 77th
    Mpundu – Zam – 91st
    Akinyi – Ken – 97th
    Ntege – Uga -103rd
  • Team Nigeria begins Scrabble World Championship on bright and strong footing

    Team Nigeria begins Scrabble World Championship on bright and strong footing

    The colourful Team Nigeria started her quest to defend the team title and also reclaim the individual crown at the World Scrabble Championship holding in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, on a positive note on Saturday with four players in the top 20 at the end of Championship Day 1.
    The four players currently leading the Team Nigeria challenge in Las Vegas are former African Champion, Nsikak Etim, former World Champion, Wellington Jighere, current national Green Jacket holder and West African Champion Eta Karo and Bright Idahosa.
    Nigeria is occupying the second spot in the team event with 26 wins behind host USA on 28, Canada on 23 while Australia is fourth with 22 wins among the 29 countries in attendance at the competition.
    Nsikak Etim is the highest ranked Nigeria in the individual event at number 3 with 7 wins and a cumulative points of plus 662 from 8 rounds of games just like Wellington Jighere who is occupying the fourth spot on the table with 7 wins but with a lower cumulative points of 573.
    In 14th position, Eta Karo with 6 wins and plus 370 cumulative points and Bright Idahosa, 18th with 6 wins and plus 221 cumulative points are the other Nigerian touch bearers in the top 20 after the close of play on Day 1.
    Home boy, Will Anderson is leading the table with 8 with and a plus 888 cumulative points ahead of England’s Harshan Lamabadusuriya who is yet to drop a game just like Anderson but has 569 cumulative points.
    This group of Nigerians with 5 wins, Emmanuel Ofidi, Olawale Fashina, Oshivere Avwenegha, Olatunde Oduwole, Ojiru Onota, Prince Osahon Omosefe and Tuoyo Mayuku are separated by cumulative points.
    Recently crown third Governor Duoye Diri national championship and current African Champion, Enoch Nwali had a slow start at the World Championship losing his first four games before he regained his groove to win 3 out of the next 4 games.
    Christian Mensah at number 20 with 5 victories and plus 564 cumulative points is the highest ranked Ghanaian at the championship, George Addo-Quaye, Victor Amartey and Charles Haizel Tachie-Menson a regular face in the Nigeria Scrabble circuit are holding the green gold and red Ghanaian flag with a black star high in Las Vegas while Patrick Mulemena Mpundu, Lubunda Ngala and Justin Chansa are the bullets from Zambia with 4, 3 and 2 wins each.
    One of three South Africa’s representatives at the World Championship Steven Gruzd is on 4 wins at number 69.
    Sierra Leone’s duo of Yusuf Koroma and Emmanuel King with 4 wins each sitting close to each other at number 76 and 77. Another member of Team Sierra Leone, Ibrahim Deen Swaray is also on 4 wins.
    Wenwa Akinyi at the 89 spot with 3 wins and a plus 81 cumulative is the Harambe Star from Kenya, Denis Owor and Chris Ntege are the Cranes from the Pearl of Africa, Uganda that are finding it difficult to fly in Nevada with just 2 wins in 8 games.
    Hilario Serrano of Philippines is first from the rear at the competition.
    Nigeria is being represented at the World Championship by 18 players, the highest by any African country and second only to host United States of America.
    A good number of Nigerians are also participating in the championship under different country’s flags.
    These are the countries in attendance:
    Australia, Canada, England, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United States of America and Zambia.
  • National number one player, Nsikak Etim set to light up Engr. Toke Aka Jubilee Championship

    National number one player, Nsikak Etim set to light up Engr. Toke Aka Jubilee Championship

    Current national number one scrabble player, Nsikak Etim, has indicated his readiness to compete for honours at the inaugural Engineer Toke Aka National Jubilee Scrabble Championship holding in Abuja next month.
    The former African Scrabble Champion told your authoritative news channel, FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG on Monday that, he hopes to be in Abuja for the unique and historic event that is attracting the heavyweight in the game of scrabble to the nation’s capital.
    “I don’t just attend competitions, I selected the best that suits my time, schedule and plans for my training program towards the World Championship in July in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA and the Engineer Toke Aka Jubilee Championship fix the bill just like the Bayelsa National Open.” Nsikak Etim said.
    Etim, a multiple National Sports Festival gold medalist and winner of two major national championships last year, the South South Open in Asaba and Bayelsa Open in Yenagoa has been seating comfortably on the top spot of NSF national rating for over 16 weeks uninterrupted since January 29th.
    To move to the top in January during the World Championship qualifiers in Sapele in Delta State, South-South of Nigeria, Nsikak Etim made a superlative run of 12 games unbeaten to secure 222 ranking pionts.
    “The Engineer Toke Aka National Jubilee Championship and the Bayelsa National Open Championship are two events that will help my build up and preparation towards the World Championship in july.” Etim added.
    In his last outing at the Deaconess Florence Abosede Ojofeitimi Memorial Scrabble Classic, the Port Harcourt based wordsmith finished in the third spot on the podium.
    And in a bid to encourage massive turn out of players at both the Jubilee Special Retreat and the Jubilee National Championship, the Scribe of the Organizing Committee who is also the Secretary General of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Mrs. Ejiro Thukson, says the Organizing Committee is offering the first twenty players who register for any of the two competition free accommodation during the event.
    Mrs. Thukson, further explained that, nice and pocket friendly accommodations are available at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja and the National Institute of Sports as well as Hotel De Bentley, venue of the National Scrabble Championship.
    The Chief Engineer Toke Aka Jubilee Special Scrabble Retreat comes up on the 15th of June at the Zalika Garden, Garki, in Abuja and it’s an all comers Retreat while the NSF President’s Diamond Jubilee National Championship has been fixed for the 17th of June at Hotel De Bentley also in Abuja. The Championship has three categories, Masters, Intermediate and Veterans.
    The Technical Director of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), John Curtis, says the one day National Championship is a 12 rounds of games event, 1 random, 8 lagged and 3 King of the hill pairings with each player having 20 minutes per game and the 2021 Collins Scrabble Words dictionary will be the reference material.
    Curtis, explained that, the Special Scrabble Retreat is an 8 rounds of games all comers event with no catchment rating points.
    To compete in the Masters event, a player must have 1,300 and above rating catchment points. The Intermediate rating catchment is 1,299 rating points and below.
    The Veterans event has no rating catchment requirement.
    The NSF Technical Director, stated that, the Masters event participants will pay 8,000 naira only while players wishing to battle for honours in the Intermediate and Veterans categories are expected to register with 6,000 naira each.
    We also gathered that registration for the Special Scrabble Retreat which attracts a token fee of 3,000 naira and the registration closes on the 14th of next month, late registration will not be entertained.
    The closing date for registration for players seeking to be part of the Engineer Toke Aka Jubilee National Championship is the 15th of June.
    The two-in-one event is open for sponsorship, partnership as well as donations.
    The Chairman of the Organizing Committee also explained that a Special Denominational Service and dinner for the Jubilee Celebration and Tournament has been fixed for the 16th of June at the Hotel De Bentley too.
  • DR. Mrs. Winifred Awosika AYSC Trophy Tour heads to Eldoret and Nairobi in Kenya

    DR. Mrs. Winifred Awosika AYSC Trophy Tour heads to Eldoret and Nairobi in Kenya

    The first of its kind, the Pan African Youth Scrabble Championship Trophy Tour which began in Accra, Ghana on Sunday will be heading to two Kenyan cities of Eldoret and Nairobi on Friday.
    A very elated President of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), Adekoyejo Adegbesan, said, “I’m leaving Accra the Ghanian capital a very happy and satisfied man because of the way the Dr. Mrs. Winifred Awosika AYSC Trophy Tour went.
    The Dr. Mrs. Winifred Awosika AYSC Trophy was received on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana by the Scrabble fraternity in Ghana led by the President of Scrabble Association of Ghana (SAG), Haruna Adamu.
    On the second day of the Trophy Tour, Monday a mini scrabble tournament was held in Tema, in honour of the former World Scrabble Champion, Wellington Jighere who was part of the tour delegation.
    It was the turn of top Ghanaian Government officials led by that country’s Minister of Youth and Sports Honourable Mustapha Ussif and his Deputy and the Deputy general of Ghana Sports Authority among other notable sporting figures to receive the Trophy.
    On Wednesday and Thursday the Trophy Tour took the Pan African Scrabble Association delegation (PANASA) to some selected schools before closing the day at the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) where they met with the President, Ben Nunoo Mensah.
    Besides the Trophy Tour, the PANASA President, Adekoyejo Adegbesan, used the meeting with the Ghana Olympic Committee boss, Ben Nunoo Mensah and the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of the All African Games, Ofosu Asare, to drum up the call for both the French and English version of the game of Scrabble to feature as a demonstration sport during the 2024 All African Games that Ghana is hosting.
    From Accra, the Dr. Mrs. Winifred Awosika AYSC Trophy Tour will be heading to Eldoret and Nairobi in Kenya for the second leg of its African tour on Friday.
    Already, the sporting authority and the Scrabble family in that East African State have concluded all the needed and necessary arrangements for a hitch free and equally exciting Trophy Tour starting with the city of Eldoret.
    Eldoret is a renown city of sporting legends, champions, heros and heroines like David Rudisha, Kipchoge Keino, Leah Mallot, Eliud Kipchoge and recently the London marathon crowned king Kevin Kiptum.
    On arrival the President of PANASA, Adekoyejo Adegbesan and the former World Champion, Wellington Jighere, will be received at the Eldoret International Airport by Uasin Gishu County Government Officials accompanied by the President Scrabble Kenya Kipkemboi Limo and the host John Sang.
    The delegation will proceed to the Uasin Gishu County Government (UCG) headquarters for signing of visitor’s book and breakfast courtesy of Uasin Gishu County Government.
    From there, the PANASA delegation will proceed to the venue of the Eldoret International Scrabble Tournament in company of the Uasin Gishu County Governor Jonathan Chelilim and the Kenya Sports Minister Engineer Lucy Njoroge.
    Top wordsmith from Kenya, Uganda, Liberia and Nigeria led by two time African Champion, Wellington Jighere will be competing for honours at Eldoret Tournament which is part of the AYSC Trophy Tour that will be taking round some selected schools in Eldoret.
    The Dr. Mrs. Winifred Awosika AYSC Trophy Tour of Eldoret will start on 5th and end and the 7th of May, 2023 before the Trophy Tour caravan move into Nairobi the Kenyan capital.
    Liberia, Uganda and host Nigeria are the other countries that the AYSC Trophy will tour before the start of the Inaugural edition of the Pan African Youth Scrabble Championship holding at the Chrisland School Idimu-Lagos, Nigeria between the 24th and 28th of August, 2023.
    Over a hundred and twenty children from 12 African countries are expected to compete for honours in two categories, U-15 and U-19 Championships with princely prizes on offer.
  • I’ll be an uncommon transformer if I become senate president – Akpabio

    I’ll be an uncommon transformer if I become senate president – Akpabio

    The Grand Patron of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) and a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator-elect, Godswill Akpabio says he will be an “uncommon transformer” if he is made the president of the 10th senate.
    Akpabio a minister of Niger Delta affairs gave this assurance after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock villa in Abuja.
    The former senate minority leader of the Senate who is a very passionate Scrabble and sponsor and a lover of sports said when he was governor of Akwa Ibom governor “he made significant contributions to infrastructure.”
    “It is well known fact that Akpabio is a results-driven individual. You will remember that when I was a governor, I made significant contributions to infrastructure, education, sports, the economy, social issues, and human empowerment,” the former governor stated.
    Akpabio built key and landmark infrastructures during his tenour as the number one citizen of the Land of Promise. One of project is the best stadium in Africa and indeed the world ‘THE NEST OF CHAMPIONS’ was constructed by Akpabio in Uyo.
    The International Airport in Uyo is another massive project executed by Godswill Akpabio as governor.
    He said “I intend to bring a lot of reforms into the senate, in the ways and manners we do business, to assist the next administration to succeed.
    “We will be very thorough in doing everything, we’ll bring about loyalty to the constitution.”
    Akpabio said he would address the challenges through legislation.
    “The restiveness that we are seeing across the nation, we’ll do our best to make good laws and to assist the administration to bring about policies that will empower the youths of the country,” the one time Super Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State under governor Victor Attah said.
    “I made that promise even on the convention day that being a man who used to turn boys into men and who still does, that I will like to work with the incoming president, who has also shown that example in Lagos state as a governor and thereafter as a leader of the APC in Nigeria.
    “So, the youths are in for a very good time, in terms of empowerment, there will be no time for slacking and we’ll restrict a lot of them from being lured into criminality, into brigandage and all that.”
    One major project which Godswill Akpabio instituted that had a huge impact on the teeming youth population in Nigeria as a governor is the Akpabio International Scrabble Classics which ran for eight years between 2007 and 2015. The Classics attracted the very best of scrabble players from all part of the world to Nigeria.
    The Akpabio International Scrabble Classic helped prepare Nigerian players like Rex Ogbakpa, Nsikak Etim, Moses Peter and Wellington Jighere to conquer Africa and the World.
    The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Engineer Toke Aka stressed that, the Scrabble Classics remains a reference point in the history of the game of words in Nigeria and the World and the sponsor Godswill Akpabio’s is engraved in GOLD.
    Before meeting President Muhammadu Buhari, Akpabio also met with the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu last week in Abuja.
  • African Youth Scrabble Championship Trophy to tour the continent

    African Youth Scrabble Championship Trophy to tour the continent

    The Main Organizing Committee (MOC) for the maiden edition of the Pan African Scrabble Association PANASA President’s Cup and the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC), has concluded arrangement for a historic Trophy Tour for the AYSC trophy, the Dr Winifred Awosika Cup.
    The President of Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), Adekoyejo Adegbesan, made this known at the weekend in an interview with your authoritative scrabble news channel.
    The Trophy Tour is one of the significant activities planned by the continental body of the game of words and mind at making the AYSC a household name on the continent and beyond.
    Adegbesan stated that, the Trophy Tour will begin on the first to the third of May, 2023 in Accra, Ghanaian capital.
    While in Accra, Ghana, the President of Pan African Scrabble Association, Adekoyejo Adegbesan and the President of Scrabble Association of Ghana, Mr. Haruna Adamu, will pay a courtesy visit to the Ghana Youth and Sports Minister, 44 year old Honourable Mustapha Ussif and the President of Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah.
    Pan Africa Scrabble Association (PANASA) President Adekoyejo Adegbesan said “this is a fresh strategy at creating a real feel and inspiration to many of African children and young adults. The AYSC Trophy Tour is also meant to activate the interest and spread awareness at the grassroots on the prospects and possibilities they can achieve as scrabble players.”
    From Accra the Africa Trophy Tour will move to Kenya, then to Nigeria, Liberia and Uganda.
    The cities of Eldoret and Nairobi in Kenya is the next port of call for the AYSC Trophy Tour from the 6th to the 9th of May. Just like in Ghana, the trophy which is nickel plated and made by Swatkins will tour landmark schools in the East African country.
    The President of Pan African Scrabble Association, Adekoyejo Adegbesan, stated that the Dr Winifred Awosika AYSC trophy will be received in the Centre of Excellence by the recently re-elected governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu alongside top Lagos State Government officials and some key Sports stakeholders.
    The Lagos AYSC Trophy Tour which will run for three days, starts on the 15th and ends on the 17th of May.
    Come the 19th to 22nd of May, the Dr Winifred Awosika Trophy will be touring the homeland of former World footballer year, George Opong Weah’s Liberia.
    Kids in Gulu and Kampala are the cities in Uganda that will have rear privilege of feeling the nickel plated trophy from the 25th to the 27th of May before it returning to the PANASA secretariat in Lagos, Nigeria.
    The biggest and richest Youth Scrabble Championship on the continent of Africa, The AYSC Cup, has been scheduled to hold between the 24th and 28th of August at the Chrisland School Idimu-Lagos, Nigeria.
    Adekoyejo Adegbesan, who is also the Chairman of Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA), stated that the AYSC is the vehicle to drive the growth and spread the game of words among young Nigerians and their African counterpart as PANASA will put up an event that will linger in their minds and hearts for a very long time to come.
    The two-in-one event will not only showcase and add some panache to the sport of scrabble but will also project Lagos, the fifth largest economy in Africa to the World in a fashion that will add some gloss to it.
    “We will offer all the young talented scrabble kids of Africa and their accompanied delegates who will be in Idimu-Lagos for the African Youth Scrabble Championship the very best of Nigeria hospitality, culture and traditions in a captivating environment that will leave a lasting legacy.” The President, fondly called Sheikh added.
    Over a hundred and twenty children from 12 African countries are expected to compete for honours in two categories, U-15 and U-19 Championship with mouth watering and finger licking prizes on offer.
    The Pan African Scrabble Association PANASA is footing the bills of all the scrabble kids of Africa while in Nigeria.
    This is the timeline for the AYSC, Dr Winifred Awosika Trophy Tour:
    May 1-3: Accra, Ghana
    May 6-7: Eldoret, Kenya
    May 8-9: Nairobi, Kenya
    May 15-17: Lagos, Nigeria
    May 19-22: Monrovia, Liberia
    May 25-27: Gulu, Kampala, Uganda
  • African’s current King, Nwali excited about PANASA President’s Cup

    African’s current King, Nwali excited about PANASA President’s Cup

    Current African Scrabble Champion, Enoch Tochukwu Nwali of Nigeria is very excited with the prospect of participating in the maiden edition of the Pan African Scrabble Association, President’s Cup scheduled to hold in Lekki-Lagos come August 24th to 28th.
    Nwali who won the 14th edition of the African Scrabble Championship in Lusaka, Zambia last year is eagerly looking forward to the event that is expected to feature 150 players from about 25 countries of the world.
    “The African Scrabble Championship is limited to only African players but the President’s Cup is global. You can expect top players from Europe and America as well as other parts of the world.” Nwali stated.
    The 300 level student of Health Education of the University of Lagos, further explained that top players from Kenya and Uganda have registered for this tournament and we are expecting other players from the rest of the world.
    “It’s going to be a world class tournament, something like the World Championship.” The winner of the Sophomore edition of the Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament, added.
    Already the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) of both the PANASA President’s Cup and the African Youth Scrabble Championship have been put in place.
    In a related development, The Republic of Botswana has become the first country to name it’s team for the African Youth Scrabble Championship holding simultaneously with the PANASA President’s Cup.
    Team Botswana comprises of 27 players and a coach.
    This is the full list of Team Botswana to the African Youth Scrabble Championship:
    1. Mojaboswa Bonno
    2. Lame Ralosetlha
    3. Michelle Bonno
    4. Sesame Letlhatshane
    5. Junior Matlhagela
    6. Mpho Letlhare
    7. Kemoneilwe Bonno
    8. Tumelo Tlhabiwe
    9. Olerilwe Mathaio
    10. Lesego Thobosi
    11. Monique Chiutare
    12. Sandra Enose
    13. Thebe Ranko
    14. Antonio Baison
    15. Thandi Bonno
    16. Mathaio Mathaio
    17. Kezia Seako Batlhoki
    18. Kgosi Merapelo Wamokala
    19. Christinah Gontho
    20. Gosiame Molaodi
    21. Leatla Faith Baruti
    22. Refilwe Coline Seakolo
    23. Setso Kalake
    24. Mamikie Gabokgethwe
    25. Walter Kgotso Molobi
    26. Katlego Nancy Motlhanke
    27. Thato Bagwasi
    Coach: Keoikantse Letsine
    The President of Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), Adekoyejo Adegbesan, said, “Although we have set a total limit of 120 players for the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC), PANASA will allow countries to bring over that number where it is mentioned well ahead of time. Kenya has also been granted the same status.
    Already the trophies and medals for the African Youth Scrabble Championship and badges for the Continental Champion have been delivered to PANASA by the designer and maker, Swatkins. The trophy is nickel plated and made to last forever.
    “Today and ahead of the trophy tour, I received the Dr (Mrs) Winifred Awosika Trophy for best Under 19 player. I have also received the Medals that will be adorned by the AYSC winners. Also as a mark of honour for what they have achieved on the continent, all former African Scrabble Champions will be adorn with a Continental Champion badge before the start of the games on August 24.” The PANASA President said.
    Adegbesan who is also the Chairman of Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA), stressed that the continental Body Governing the game of words will never settle for less.
    “For the medals, we want to be unique and have opted for Antique Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.” He concluded.
  • PANASA names Main Organizing Committee for President’s Cup, African Youth Scrabble Championship

    PANASA names Main Organizing Committee for President’s Cup, African Youth Scrabble Championship

    The Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), has named the Main Organizing Committee (MOC), for the two-in-one event, the PANASA President’s Cup and the African Youth Scrabble Championship holding in Lagos, Nigeria in August.
    The President of the continental body governing the game of words, Nigeria’s Adekoyejo Adegbesan, disclosed this over the weekend in a chat with your authoritative news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG .
    Kenya’s Crispine Okeyo who is PANASA’s Technical Director is to serve as the Tournament Director of both the President’s Cup (PPC), as well as the African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC).
    Nigeria’s Khaleel Adedeji, PANASA’s Ratings Officer and Farouq Babaina will assist the tournament director to oversee both Championships. Adedeji is assisting Okeyo in the President’s Cup while Babaina is supporting Okeyo with the African Youth Scrabble Championship.
    Hakeem Olaribigbe and Olumide Oyejide are also part of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) for the PANASA President’s Cup who will all work under the supervision of the President, Adekoyejo Adegbesan.
    A hundred and fifty players from about twenty five countries are expected to congregate in Lagos, come August the 24th to 28th, 2023 for the first edition of the PANASA President’s Cup.
    So far over seventy players from Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, South Africa, Liberia, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and host Nigeria have already registered for the Championship that has over 31,000 dollars as prize money.
    Registration for the President’s Cup opened on the 1st of March and closes on the 31st of July and any player who wants to hit the board come August will pay $50 as registration fee. PANASA will not accept late entries.
    In order to add some spice and colour to The President’s Cup, PANASA, will be staging a 1-day final fling event being planned for Sunday 27th August 2023.
    The second event, the PANASA African Youth Scrabble Championship that holds simultaneously with the President’s Cup will be having 300 young talented scrabble players under 18 years from about 12 African countries in attendance.
    Daniel Machanje and Evelyne Wangui of Kenya,
    Elisabeth Nagasha of Uganda, Patrick Hamilton Drake from Sierra Leone, Liberia’s Joseph Avery, Joseph Loiti of Botswana and Nigeria’s duo of Samuel Eromosele and Adewunmi Adepoju are all members of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), of the African Youth Scrabble Championship.
    The African Youth Scrabble Championship will be taking place at the Chrisland School Idimu and it has the financial support of Winifred Awosika Foundation.
    Kayode Fashola the consultant between PANASA and Winifred Awosika Foundation says, the plans and all the needed logistics for a hitch free Championship will be put in place before the end of July.
    It will interest you to know that PANASA has signed a deal with Kenyan Airways. Players coming to Nigeria for the two-in-one event will get discount. The discount code will be issued for flights to Lagos, Nigeria during the period of the Championship. Voucher will only be valid for use from Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa and Tanzania.
    Tayo Ogunseye is heading the media team of both events and will be supported by Paul Gbadegeshin, who will be incharge of the Third Media that is the Social Media.
  • African players in a rush to register for Pan African Scrabble President’s Cup

    African players in a rush to register for Pan African Scrabble President’s Cup

    As the date for the inaugural edition of the Pan African Scrabble Association President Cup draws closer, many players from the continent have indicated their willingness to be part of the historic event.
    Report reaching your authoritative news channel indicates that there is a rush by scrabble players from Cameroon, Botswana, Ghana, The Gambia, Uganda and Kenya have been registering for the competition which holds in Nigeria in August this year.
    The President of Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), Adekoyejo Adegbesan, explained that players from about 25 countries from all over the World are expected to battle for the over 31,000 dollars prize money on offer.
    “As of today, players from Botswana, Cameroon, Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone have all registered for the PANASA President’s Cup.” Adegbesan said.
    One of the finest wordsmith on the continent, Uganda’s Edgar Odongkara, is among the sixty seven players who have registered for the Scrabble Feast.
    Kenya’s number Allan Oyende and Chris Ntege of Uganda are two household names on continent heading to Nigeria for the PANASA President’s Cup.
    The biggest and richest scrabble prize money event on the continent of Africa, The President’s Cup, has been scheduled to hold between the 24th and 28th of August in Lekki-Lagos, Nigeria.
    Adekoyejo Adegbesan, who was elected President of the Pan African Scrabble Association in October last year in Lusaka, Zambia, explained that the President’s Cup which is open to all Scrabble players from Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the World is one of his campaign promises, that another bi-annual competition will be added to the African Scrabble Championship at the senior level.
    “We have slots for a hundred and fifty players, so far sixty seven players have registered and the window for registration closes July 31st.” The PANASA President added.
    Over 31,000 dollars has been set aside as prize money for the The President’s Cup, the top prize which is the Gbenga Ojofeitimi Trophy is 5,000 dollars. SM Quartey Trophy which is the second prize is 2,500 dollars and 1,700 dollars goes to the third placed player.
    The prize money will be spread to the top 15 players and special prizes will be giving to the best placed player from a country that register at least three participants. This Special prize is open to the following countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroun, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa.
    The top two female players at the end of the championship will get an additional prize money irrespective of their standing at the end of the event.
    25 games will be played during the preliminary rounds of the competition, 5 rounds of games will be played in the semi final while 5 rounds will be decided in the final. Collins Scrabble Words 2021 dictionary will be used at the event.
    Registration for the President’s Cup opened on the 1st of March and closes on the 21st of July and any player who wants to hit the board come August will pay $50 as registration fee. PANASA will not accept late entries.
    Players based in Nigeria, who choose to pay in the local currency, naira, will be asked to pay using the USD exchange rate (BUY) on the day of their registration.
    It will interest you to know that PANASA has signed a deal with Kenyan Airways. Players coming to Nigeria for the two-in-one event will get discount. The discount code will be issued for flights to Lagos, Nigeria during the period of the Championship. Voucher will only be valid for use from Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa and Tanzania.
    In order to add some spice and colour to The President’s Cup, PANASA, will be staging a 1-day final fling event being planned for Sunday 27th August 2023.
    There are five hospitality packages for players who will be enjoying the serine environment of Orchid Hotel. Gold, Silver, Orange, Purple and Blue are the different packages that are pocket friendly.
    The first four packages that is Gold, Silver, Orange and Purple are for the entire stay at Orchid Hotel during the President’s Cup, while the Blue package, which does not include accommodation, is for all registered players.
    Gold: $300
    Silver: $265
    Orange: $250
    Purple: $215
    Blue: $50
    The President of Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), Adekoyejo Adegbesan, who is also the Chairman of Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA), stated that the President’s Cup will certainly change the face of the game of words in Nigeria and the continent as PANASA will put up an event that will not only showcase the sport but also project Lekki-Lagos, Nigeria and Africa to the rest of the World.
    “We will offer all the players the very best of Nigeria hospitality in a captivating environment.” The President, fondly called Sheikh stressed.
    Similarly, over two hundred and twenty young scrabble players from across Africa has signify their desire to be part of the PANASA Youth Championship which holds in Nigeria at the same time with the President’s Cup.
    President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Engineer Toke Aka, says Team Nigeria to the African Youth Scrabble Championship will be selected from top scrabble playing Schools and scrabble academies across the country.
    Currently, Kenya is conducting it’s national trials to select their team. Over 300 kids are participating in the Kenyan trials.
  • Scrabble player brings more honour and recognition to Nigeria

    Scrabble player brings more honour and recognition to Nigeria

    Each passing day, Nigerian scrabble players keep making waves across the globe because of their dexterity and word strength on the board and bring glory to Nigeria.
    The latest Nigerian scrabble player to demonstrate the country’s supremacy in the game of words in

    Each passing day, Nigerian scrabble players keep making waves across the globe because of their dexterity and word strength on the board and bring glory to Nigeria.
    The latest Nigerian scrabble player to demonstrate the country’s supremacy in the game of words in Lukeman Owolabi.
    At the weekend in far away Ireland, Owolabi, who is one of the arrow heads of prestigious MGI Scrabble League in Nigeria made light walk of all the players at this year’s Cork Scrabble tournament in lreland.
    He took 10 out of the 14 rounds of games in the two day competition and had a big cumulative points of plus 1492 which was miles ahead of Liam Donnelly who also recorded 10 wins and 623 cumulative points to finish second.
    Andy Goodwin, came third with a cumulative points of plus 391 with 10 victories.
    Pauline Weatherhaed and Feargal Weatherhead competes the top five on the table at the end of the Championship.
    During the just concluded Isreali International Opens Scrabble Championship in Tel Aviv, with nine countries in attendance, Nigeria’s Jack Mpakaboari and Niyi Adebayo finished in the top 8 at the end of the competition.
    Currently, eight Nigerian players are in the top 20 in the World and Nigerian players are holding two International titles.
    Eta Paul Oghenekaro won just captured the Asaph Zadok National Championship is the West African Scrabble Champion while Enoch Tochukwu Nwali is the African Champion.
    For your information, Lukeman Owolabi along with PANASA President Adekoyejo Adegbesan are writing a new chapter in the game of words in Ogun State.
    The duo, alongside other members of Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA) are repositioning the game in brighter light.